The last meeting of the season comprised the AGM followed by a talk by Bro John Walker about old Bridlington with a sample of photographs from his extensive collection.
At the short AGM, members confirmed Bro Robert Amos as the new Prior and Hannah Stamp as the new Sub-Prior. The positions of other officers and the enthusiastic Chapter members were also confirmed. It was reported that membership has increased again and the finances are in a healthy state.
In the main event of the evening, Bro John Walker gave a photographic tour of Bridlington as it was. These stirred memories for many but the oldest photographs are now history, beyond living memory. His pictures of the fair on High Green exemplify this. Many will remember this fair but no one alive today will remember the fair with the spring fed pond, Green Dyke, in the middle.
Much of old Bridlington has been lost quite recently. Examples from Bro John’s talk included Allen’s shop, now replaced by the Prior John pub, the T&T dance hall, later the upper floor of East Riding Garage near the Premier Inn, now demolished and a car park, Midway Terrace pulled down to make way for Crown Buildings, and Lloyds Hospital.
Bro John showed pictures of buildings still standing as they used to look such as the Bayle, Priory Church, and Sewerby Hall. He showed the development of Bridge Street from the days when the bridge now under the street was in the open, to the demolition of the south side to widen the street, and the early 1900’s redevelopment.
The sea front and harbour were not forgotten. The Spa Miniature Railway, harbourside buildings including slip way cottages and Gautiers baths, the Princes Parade development, and the development of the Spa complex were also included.
Bro John showed some of the town’s characters. “Beverley Tom” could get you anything at a price. “Slasher” Sampson could give you a haircut, one style fits all. The Nicholl brother could deliver your coal aided by their horse “Captain”. Before supermarkets. the grocers Maw Bros would cycle round the town to collect orders and then deliver in their van.
The vote of thanks was given by Judith Moore.
Some photographs from the evening:
